Bridle-bit



J. W. JAMES.

- BRIDLB BIT.

(No Model.)

No. 478,867. Patented July 12", 1892.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACK WM. JAMES, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 478,867, dated July 12, 1892. Application filed January 26, 1892. 7 Serial No. 419,364. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J AOKWM. JAMES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Memphis, in the county of Shelby and State of Tennessee, have invented new and useful Improvements in Bridle-Bits, of which the following is a specification.

In my application for Letters Patent filed September 29, 1891, Serial No. 407,159, I describe and show a bridle-bit wherein the lower ends of the cheek-pieces are formed into cylindrical journals on which are loosely mounted the rein-rings to render the rings susceptible of turning axially in an approximately-horizontal plane, for the purpose of avoiding twisting of the rein when thrown over the head of the animal.

In my prior construction the rein-rings can make a complete revolution, and I find this obj ectionablein the manipulation of the reins, in that the latter are liable to twist up.

The object of my present invention is to avoid this objection by providing means whereby the rein-rings are limited in their rotary movement, so that the reins have all necessary play, but will not at any time twist up.

To accom plish this object, my invention consists'in a bridle-bit having loosely-journaled rein-rin gs and stop-lugs which limit the rotary motion of the rings, as hereinafter described and claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my invention applied to a bridle'in use on the head of an animal, and Fig. 2 is a detail perspective View of the improved bit.

In order to enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will now describe the sam e in detail, referring to the drawings, wherein- The numeral 1 indicates the bitbar or mouth-piece, and 2 the cheek-pieces, of an ordinary curb-bit, which parts may be of any desired form, shape, or configuration. The cheek-pieces 2 are each formed at the lower extremity into a cylindrical journal or shank extension 3, and each shank extension extends through a socket or orifice 4, formed in the upper and lower portions or sides of a rein-ring 5, in such manner that each ring is pivoted upon a shank extension at two points diametrically opposite each other. The rings are each formed with laterally-extended disklike portions 6 to provide the requisite quantity of metal for the formation of the sockets or orifices 4:, so that the ring is strong and substantial and is so journaled on the shank extensions as to be susceptible of oscillating or turning axially in an approximately-horizontal plane when the cheek-pieces stand substantially in a perpendicular position. The upper portion of each cylindrical shank or journal 3- where it joins one of the cheekpieces is formed with a segmental lug 7, the opposite edges 8 of which constitute stops. The upper socket or orifice 4 of each rein-ring 5 is formed integral with an upwardly-projecting segmental lug 9, the opposite sides 10 of which constitute offsets which strike the stops 8 for the purpose of limiting the rotary motion of the rein-rings onthe cylindrical journals of the cheek-pieces. By this construction the rein-rings can freely turn on the cylindrical journals, but are prevented from making a complete revolution, so that the rein of the bridle has sufficient freedom of motion, but cannot be twisted up, as in the prior construction, where the rein-rings are capable of making a complete revolution. The rein can be freely thrown over the head of the animal; but the construction and arrangement of the rein-rings are such that they cannot swingin a vertical plane, and consequently the end portions of the rein are not likely to be disarranged or twisted when the rein is thrown over the head of the animal.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- Ahridle-bit consisting of cheek-pieces having their lower ends terminating in cylindrical journals provided with lateral stop-lugs and rein-rings loosely mounted on the cylindrical journals to rotatein an approximatelyhorizontal plane and provided with ofisets to abut the stop-lugs, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JACK WM. JAMES. [L. s]

Witnesses:

J. T. GRAHAM, CHAS. O. WELLFORD. 

